Gate-latch.



L. H. ZANDERS.

GATE LATCH.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 26. 1915.

1,204,228. Patented Nov. 7, 1916.

. LOUIS H. ZANDERS, OF MALVERN,,IOWA.

GATE-LATCH.

memes.

Application filed March 26, 1915.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LOUIS H. ZANonRs,-a

itizen of the United States, residing at Malvern, in the county of Mills and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Gate-Latches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates generally. to gate latches, and more particularly to certain improvements upon the gate latch patented to me August 15, 1905, No. 797,485, the object of the present invention being to simplify the construction and do away with certain parts thereby making the latch cheaper and at the same time more efficient and durable in operation.

With these objects in view my invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement, all of which will be fully described hereinafter and pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification Figure 1 is a view showing a practical application of my invention. Fig. 2 is a detail view of the keeper portion of my latch. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the striker. Fig. at is atop plan view showing the striker in engagement with the keeper. Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 2.

In carrying out my invention I construct my gate latch with a keeper which is attached to the gate post and a striker or latch proper which is carried by the end batten of the gate and is adapted to engage the keeper when the gate is closed, said keeper acting upon the latch or striker to retain the same in engagement and prevent the accidental. opening of the gate. The parts however are so constructed that the latch can be quickly and easily released furthermore it will be understood that the operation of the keeper is substantially automatic in its nature.

In constructing the keeper in accordance with my present invention I employ a cast metal frame 1 comprising a horizontal member 2 and a curved member 3, the horizontal member having a central bolt hole 4 and the curved member also has a central bolt hole 5 his bolt hole 5 being surrounded on one side by a circular bearing 6, the purpose of which will appear hereinafter. The frame 1 is also constructed at each end with laterally extending apertured ears 7.

Pivotally mounted upon the frame 1 is the rocking arm 8 which has a pivot open.-

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. *2, 1916.

Serial No. 17,208.

ing in which fits the circular bearing 6, the arm 8 rocking freely upon this bearing and the bolt which passes through the opening 5 serves the purpose of securing the frame-to the gate post and also maintaining the arm 8 in proper position upon the frame. A sec- 0nd bolt is also passed through the opening l to secure the frame 1 to the gate post. The rocker arm is so constructed that it can be arranged with either face adjacent the frame 1 and thus is capable of use as either a right or'left hand gate latch.

One end of the arm 8'is bifurcated and the other end has a spring-9 connected thereto, the opposite end of said spring'being attached to the apertured lug 7. 'Two of these lugs are employed one being used for the connection of the spring when the latch is a right hand latch while the other one is used when the latch is assembled as a left hand latch.

The spring 9 normally holds the rocker arm in a horizontal position so that the striker can engage the same and in order that the spring may so hold this arm I construct the same with a double stop lug 1.0 which engages the inner face of the curved member 3, the stop lug being double on account of the arm being reversible to make the latch either a right or left hand latch.

As before stated the free end of the arm 8 is bifurcated thereby providing an upper jaw 11 and a lower jaw 12, the upper jaw being slightly longer than the lower one, the upper face of the lower jaw being curved upon the same are as the upper member 3 so that the striker when engaging the bifurcated end of the arm 8 will ride along the jaw 12, and frame 3 together and will be guided into the curved recess 13 formed at the rear end between the jaws 11, and 12, and will be kept in positive engagement with said recess by agency of the spring 9. The striker consists of a plate l lprovided with bolt opening 15 by means of which it can be fastened to the end batten of the gate, and from this plate 14 extends an arm 16 which terminates in a finger or latch 17 arranged at right angles to the arm 16, this striker finger 17 being the member which engages the bifurcated end of the arm 8.

The semicircular frame serves as a pivot for the arm 8 and also in connection with stop lugs serves to limit the upward moveanion.

serves as the means for connecting the spring whlch serves to throw said arm upwvardly. The semicircular frame also acts as a guide in connection with the jaw 12 to direct the finger 17 to the locking recess 13.

7 It will thus be seen that I provide a simple form of gate latch, consisting of few parts which owing to their construction are strong and durable and owing to their arrangement co-act with each other to produce the results hereinbefore referred to.

What I claim is A gate latch comprising a semicircular frame having a straight lower member and a curved member connecting the ends of the straight member, said straight member being secured midway its ends to a post, the curved member having an opening in vertical alinement with said secured portion, and having an annular bearing formed about said opening, perforated lugs formed on opposite sides of the curved member adjacent its juncture with the straight member, a rocker arm pivotally mounted on said bearing, and having a double stop member adapted to engage the inner edge of the curved member, common means for securing the curved member to the post, and the rocker arm in position, said means passing through the last mentioned opening, a spring adapted to connect one end of the rocker arm to either of said lugs, the opposite end of the rocker arm being bifurcated and having a recess at the inner end of the bifurcation, said recess registering with the upper edge of the curved arm when the rocker arm is in normal position, and a striker carried by a gate and adapted when in locking position to rest on the upper'edge of the curved member and in said recess.

Louis H. ZANDERS.

'Witnesses P. B. HENDRICKS, C. S. Boron.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. 0. i 

